Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mental health disorders frequently co-occur, yet the biological and behavioural pathways linking them remain poorly understood. This project aims to investigate the associations between cardiovascular phenotypes and anxiety/depression outcomes using the UK Biobank cohort.
Research questions: (1) Are circulating blood biomarkers of inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, renal and hepatic function associated with anxiety and depression risk? (2) Do cardiac MRI-derived measures of structure and function (e.g. ventricular mass, ejection fraction, myocardial strain) independently predict mental health outcomes? (3) How do modifiable lifestyle factors – including oral health, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, sleep and diet – mediate or modify the cardiovascular-mental health relationship? (4) Is the association bidirectional, such that anxiety/depression phenotypes also predict incident cardiovascular events?
We will employ multivariable regression, mediation analysis and, where appropriate, Mendelian randomisation to address confounding. Analyses will adjust for age, sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity and comorbidities. This research will advance understanding of shared CVD-mental health pathways and may identify modifiable targets for integrated prevention strategies.
